Manning was born in Ancoats and set up the World Famous Embassy Club in Harpurhey with his father in 1959.

But he found national fame in the 1970s when he appeared in the ITV stand-up show The Comedians along with Frank Carson and Stan Boardman.

Manning's style of politically-incorrect comedy became increasingly unfashionable and he was banned from many venues as critics branded his humour sexist and racist.

But he refused to tone down his act and revelled in the controversy generated by his shows. Despite his reputation for his blue brand of humour, his biographer Jonathan Margolis described him as a “family man” who devoted a lot of time to charity work, including raising money for Francis House Hospice in Didsbury, and Cancer Research.

He was left devastated in 1995 when his wife, Vera, and both his brothers died within the space of 12 months.

Only five weeks ago he held a "living wake" for a Channel 4 documentary where fellow comics paid tribute to him at the Manchester Hilton Hotel.

He told the audience: "I'm going to be with you for a long time yet."Manning said: "Throughout my life I've met such great people, I've had a good life, I've got a good family, and this has been one of the greatest nights of my life, so don't you worry about me."

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